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Bride Trilogy #2
The Accidental Bride
The tale of an awkward young woman perched reluctantly on the verge of marriage. Soon she finds herself truly falling in love with her intended, and in the process discovers a daring new attitude within herself.
Three unconventional women take a vow never to marry, only to find themselves overtaken by destiny. The "accidental" bride is Phoebe, the awkward one, who stumbles into romance, adventure, and passion when she falls under the spell of the intimidating -- and very sexy -- widower of her older sister.
For four years, Cato, the Marquis of Granville, had been just another man -- the uninteresting, somewhat intimidating husband of Phoebe's older sister. But then her sister died, and Phoebe seemed a reasonable substitute. Her forced engagement to him should have been quite a cold-blooded arrangement... except that one day Phoebe looked at Granville -- really looked at him -- and saw what she'd never seen before: he was darkly, breathtakingly attractive.
Once she'd noticed, she couldn't seem to stop noticing, and suddenly Phoebe was disastrously in love. It would be nothing short of torture to be married to Granville, knowing he didn't love her and never would. After all, Phoebe was not the kind of woman men fell in love with -- Phoebe with her untidy hair, her rumpled clothes, and her fingers forever ink-stained from the poetry she wrote.
When running away does not solve her problems, Phoebe decides to try something a little different -- something that involves a little change in wardrobe, a daring new attitude, and a bit of brazen seduction.
Granville is about to discover that his awkward Phoebe is woman enough even for him....
Three unconventional women take a vow never to marry, only to find themselves overtaken by destiny. The "accidental" bride is Phoebe, the awkward one, who stumbles into romance, adventure, and passion when she falls under the spell of the intimidating -- and very sexy -- widower of her older sister.
For four years, Cato, the Marquis of Granville, had been just another man -- the uninteresting, somewhat intimidating husband of Phoebe's older sister. But then her sister died, and Phoebe seemed a reasonable substitute. Her forced engagement to him should have been quite a cold-blooded arrangement... except that one day Phoebe looked at Granville -- really looked at him -- and saw what she'd never seen before: he was darkly, breathtakingly attractive.
Once she'd noticed, she couldn't seem to stop noticing, and suddenly Phoebe was disastrously in love. It would be nothing short of torture to be married to Granville, knowing he didn't love her and never would. After all, Phoebe was not the kind of woman men fell in love with -- Phoebe with her untidy hair, her rumpled clothes, and her fingers forever ink-stained from the poetry she wrote.
When running away does not solve her problems, Phoebe decides to try something a little different -- something that involves a little change in wardrobe, a daring new attitude, and a bit of brazen seduction.
Granville is about to discover that his awkward Phoebe is woman enough even for him....
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
137 people are currently reading
1290 people want to read
About the author
Jane Feather
170 books628 followersJane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
dnf_abandoned
November 4, 2020I’ve never written (such a long) review for a book that I abandoned midway but there’s always a first time. The blurb seemed promising enough but this is a slow and tedious book and also pseudo historical in its essence despite pushing facts and figures from the era.
*With Spoilers*
*With Spoilers*
April 29, 2017
3.5~4 Stars
Giiilss, baru kali ini baca hisrom yg hero-nya pernah nikah 3 kali dan heroine-nya jadi istri ke-4... (total si hero aka Cato nikah 4 kali maaaan 😆😆)
Giiilss, baru kali ini baca hisrom yg hero-nya pernah nikah 3 kali dan heroine-nya jadi istri ke-4... (total si hero aka Cato nikah 4 kali maaaan 😆😆)
February 16, 2014
I don't get this book. Time is 1640s England, in the middle of the civil war. Heroine is a "clumsy" (OH NO ONE OF THOSE) upper-class girl who longs to be a poet and has forged a convenient series-starting alliance with two other girls who also don't want to get married. But who of course each get married in their own book, because COME ON.
Anyway, her older sister marries the Hero and then dies (off-screen) and the Heroine now has to marry him. The Hero is older (mid-30s) and needs an heir, and also has learned, from his previous three wives, that well-born ladies do not dig the marital sexing, so he wastes no time wooing his wife and just makes with the, um, "penetrash" (as 30 Rock had it). And so the marital sex is awkward and kind of horrible, which honestly sounds like kind of a great, fresh element, but which is not really played in a way that matches how compelling it sounds.
Some stuff happens in their marriage - sex is bad, she doesn't want to get pregnant - and there are spying shenanigans related to the Hero's adopted son from his first marriage. I don't know, I don't get it. What is there to love about this book? The leads don't really seem to have personalities of their own, let alone chemistry with each other. The whining of the Heroine about how she doesn't want to get married is so weirdly vapid, given that of course this was a time in history when a lady had little to say about who she married or didn't, and little control over her own life. But somehow, even though this is a pretty serious topic, the way the book lets the Heroine talk about it is just Dullsville. It seems very childish and low-stakes.
Another problem I'm having is that I don't know if it's correct, in this period, that men married their sisters-in-law, or that your adopted stepson could inherit your title and property. And I keep wanting to stop and look these things up and argue with myself.
All together, these seem like good reasons to quit reading. (One of my goals for 2014 is to quit a book as soon as I realize that it's Not For Me.)
Anyway, her older sister marries the Hero and then dies (off-screen) and the Heroine now has to marry him. The Hero is older (mid-30s) and needs an heir, and also has learned, from his previous three wives, that well-born ladies do not dig the marital sexing, so he wastes no time wooing his wife and just makes with the, um, "penetrash" (as 30 Rock had it). And so the marital sex is awkward and kind of horrible, which honestly sounds like kind of a great, fresh element, but which is not really played in a way that matches how compelling it sounds.
Some stuff happens in their marriage - sex is bad, she doesn't want to get pregnant - and there are spying shenanigans related to the Hero's adopted son from his first marriage. I don't know, I don't get it. What is there to love about this book? The leads don't really seem to have personalities of their own, let alone chemistry with each other. The whining of the Heroine about how she doesn't want to get married is so weirdly vapid, given that of course this was a time in history when a lady had little to say about who she married or didn't, and little control over her own life. But somehow, even though this is a pretty serious topic, the way the book lets the Heroine talk about it is just Dullsville. It seems very childish and low-stakes.
Another problem I'm having is that I don't know if it's correct, in this period, that men married their sisters-in-law, or that your adopted stepson could inherit your title and property. And I keep wanting to stop and look these things up and argue with myself.
All together, these seem like good reasons to quit reading. (One of my goals for 2014 is to quit a book as soon as I realize that it's Not For Me.)
January 4, 2015
Eww. Seriously. I kept wanting to like these people or even see some chemistry between them, but it never happened. She didn't grow up; he never stopped seeming like a pedophile married to an annoying child. (One with wide hips, however, which means she will give him sons! Eww Galore.) Ergo, the love scenes - which, face it, are why I read this stuff - made me feel not just uneasy, but queasy. Now, these were the Dark Ages, and women/girls were basically just political pawns or brood animals, so when I commit to read a romance set in this period I'm prepared to set aside my principals in exchange for some steamy alpha-male fun. So if the H/h relationship had seemed to progress to an adult level at some point, I could have set aside the issue of a man marrying an unwilling and immature kid who happens to be his daughter's BFF and his dead wife's little sister, and for whom he has already developed a dislike. Sadly, little sister remained an unpleasant tweenie with the common sense God gave a goat, while her husband remained so one-dimensional that I didn't believe for a moment in their sex life, much less their HEA. ALSO: WHAT IF SHE'S PREGNANT WITH A GIRL?? What's he going to do then, trade her in for a bride with even wider hips?
July 28, 2024
Review from 2015
B for narration / B- for content
Originally published in 1999, The Accidental Bride is the middle book in a trilogy set during the English Civil War, which features three rather unconventional young women all finding their way to true love. Before I start this review, however, I have to say that there are a number of things about this particular book which might prove problematic for some listeners, so I’m going to get them out of the way.
1. The hero is almost twice the heroine’s age – she’s eighteen, he’s thirty-five.
2. The hero is a widower three times over, so the heroine is wife number four.
3. His most recent wife was the heroine’s older sister. (I looked this one up, because at one time a marriage between a man and his dead wife’s sister was illegal in England, but it doesn’t seem to have been so in 1645).
4. The hero’s fifteen year old daughter (by wife number two) is the heroine’s best friend.
None of those things bother me particularly, and I can say that in spite of a few reservations about plot and characterisation, I enjoyed the audiobook overall.
Phoebe Carlton is, at eighteen, clumsy, awkward, stubborn, and absolutely not the sort of young woman men fall in love with. Her clothes are ill-fitting and outmoded, her hair is untamable, and in short, she’s the complete antithesis of her beautiful sister Diana, who has recently died. Diana was married to Cato, the austerely handsome Marquess of Granville, thus cementing a financial and strategic alliance between their families, and in order to keep it in the family as it were, Phoebe’s father offers the widower his other daughter as a replacement. Cato, being almost exclusively occupied with his duties as one of the foremost military leaders and advisors to the Parliamentarian forces, raises no objections. All he really wants from a wife is obedience and an heir, so he thinks Phoebe will suit him as well as anyone.
But that’s not good enough for Phoebe. Even though she’s hopelessly in love with him, she knows Cato has never seen her as anything other than Diana’s hoydenish sister, and she is miserable at the thought of being married to the man she adores knowing he will never feel for her as she does for him.
Their marriage gets off to a bit of a rocky start. Cato doesn’t have much time for his young wife, his political and military responsibilities meaning he has to be often away from home. He also assumes that as she’s a well-bred young lady, Phoebe won’t enjoy the physical side of marriage, and concludes she will want their couplings to be as brief as possible. As a result, their wedding night and subsequent encounters are perfunctory and, for Phoebe, profoundly unsatisfying. Something tells her that there’s more to it than this basic, on her back, in the dark, wham, bam, thank-you ma’am – but she has no idea what that could be or how to ask for it. She sees her husband rarely, and is constantly aware that she doesn’t meet his expectations in terms of her appearance, and that he must be severely disappointed she’s not more like her lovely, poised sister.
However, Phoebe is nothing if not determined, and with a little help from her friend, Portia (heroine of the first book), Phoebe decides to seduce Cato and show him she wants more than a quick poke in the dark each night! Fortunately for her, Cato is surprised rather than horrified – and then extremely grateful! – to discover that his young bride is possessed of such uninhibited sensuality.
Just as this side of their relationship is improving, Cato and Phoebe receive an unwelcome visitor in the form of Brian Morse, Cato’s stepson (son of wife number one), and his heir, who is a smarmy little toad (the unpleasant, nasally whine Ms Sterling adopts captures him perfectly) bent on advancement within Royalist circles. He plans to ruin Cato in the eyes of Cromwell and the Parliamentarians, which will not only ensure him the gratitude of the king for disposing of one of his foremost enemies, but will also see Cato out of the way so that Brian can inherit the marquisate. Realising that Phoebe is struggling with feelings of inadequacy, he pretends to befriend her, telling her that Cato is in danger and that she can help him if she will do as Brian says.
The thing I liked most about the story is in the way Cato gradually unbends around Phoebe, his developing understanding of her and his eventual falling in love with her. As time passes he starts to find her lack of sophistication rather charming and to appreciate what she has to offer him – her love and generous heart, her quick mind and sense of humour. He’s the strong, silent type; and although I will admit that I wondered how it was that Phoebe fell in love with him when she hardly knew him, (and he was so cold and aloof) there’s no doubting his appeal, which is greatly enhanced by Jenny Sterlin’s portrayal. While Phoebe’s headstrong nature often lands her into trouble, she’s an attractive character – although I don’t like that part of her that insists on ignoring good advice and then feeling aggrieved when Cato bawls her out for getting herself into a difficult situation.
The revenge sub-plot is perhaps overly simplistic, and Brian is a one-note villain, but at least it doesn’t get in the way of the romance. The pacing is a little uneven – there were parts in the middle that dragged, although Ms Sterlin’s narration went a long way to keeping me focused on the story at those moments. I’ve commented in other reviews that her slightly nasal tone can take a little while to get used to, but it’s worth it, because she’s a very accomplished vocal actress, and all her character portrayals are well differentiated and characterised according to age, gender and situation. When portraying Cato, she employs a lowered pitch and a measured delivery which convey absolutely that here is an authority figure, a man not often crossed or easily confounded. The same qualities, with perhaps a slightly softened tone, are also employed to good effect in the love scenes. Phoebe’s vivacity and stubbornness are expertly conveyed through the use of a wide variety of expression and inflection; Ms Sterlin doesn’t raise her pitch very much to point to Phoebe’s youth; but she doesn’t need to because her acting choices more than adequately reflect the character.
Taken as a whole, The Accidental Bride is an entertaining, if not especially deep listen which benefits from a skilled performance by Jenny Sterlin. If you’re interested in seeking out older romances which have recently been made into audiobooks, or just looking for a pre-Regency historical, then this might be worth checking out.
B for narration / B- for content
Originally published in 1999, The Accidental Bride is the middle book in a trilogy set during the English Civil War, which features three rather unconventional young women all finding their way to true love. Before I start this review, however, I have to say that there are a number of things about this particular book which might prove problematic for some listeners, so I’m going to get them out of the way.
1. The hero is almost twice the heroine’s age – she’s eighteen, he’s thirty-five.
2. The hero is a widower three times over, so the heroine is wife number four.
3. His most recent wife was the heroine’s older sister. (I looked this one up, because at one time a marriage between a man and his dead wife’s sister was illegal in England, but it doesn’t seem to have been so in 1645).
4. The hero’s fifteen year old daughter (by wife number two) is the heroine’s best friend.
None of those things bother me particularly, and I can say that in spite of a few reservations about plot and characterisation, I enjoyed the audiobook overall.
Phoebe Carlton is, at eighteen, clumsy, awkward, stubborn, and absolutely not the sort of young woman men fall in love with. Her clothes are ill-fitting and outmoded, her hair is untamable, and in short, she’s the complete antithesis of her beautiful sister Diana, who has recently died. Diana was married to Cato, the austerely handsome Marquess of Granville, thus cementing a financial and strategic alliance between their families, and in order to keep it in the family as it were, Phoebe’s father offers the widower his other daughter as a replacement. Cato, being almost exclusively occupied with his duties as one of the foremost military leaders and advisors to the Parliamentarian forces, raises no objections. All he really wants from a wife is obedience and an heir, so he thinks Phoebe will suit him as well as anyone.
But that’s not good enough for Phoebe. Even though she’s hopelessly in love with him, she knows Cato has never seen her as anything other than Diana’s hoydenish sister, and she is miserable at the thought of being married to the man she adores knowing he will never feel for her as she does for him.
Their marriage gets off to a bit of a rocky start. Cato doesn’t have much time for his young wife, his political and military responsibilities meaning he has to be often away from home. He also assumes that as she’s a well-bred young lady, Phoebe won’t enjoy the physical side of marriage, and concludes she will want their couplings to be as brief as possible. As a result, their wedding night and subsequent encounters are perfunctory and, for Phoebe, profoundly unsatisfying. Something tells her that there’s more to it than this basic, on her back, in the dark, wham, bam, thank-you ma’am – but she has no idea what that could be or how to ask for it. She sees her husband rarely, and is constantly aware that she doesn’t meet his expectations in terms of her appearance, and that he must be severely disappointed she’s not more like her lovely, poised sister.
However, Phoebe is nothing if not determined, and with a little help from her friend, Portia (heroine of the first book), Phoebe decides to seduce Cato and show him she wants more than a quick poke in the dark each night! Fortunately for her, Cato is surprised rather than horrified – and then extremely grateful! – to discover that his young bride is possessed of such uninhibited sensuality.
Just as this side of their relationship is improving, Cato and Phoebe receive an unwelcome visitor in the form of Brian Morse, Cato’s stepson (son of wife number one), and his heir, who is a smarmy little toad (the unpleasant, nasally whine Ms Sterling adopts captures him perfectly) bent on advancement within Royalist circles. He plans to ruin Cato in the eyes of Cromwell and the Parliamentarians, which will not only ensure him the gratitude of the king for disposing of one of his foremost enemies, but will also see Cato out of the way so that Brian can inherit the marquisate. Realising that Phoebe is struggling with feelings of inadequacy, he pretends to befriend her, telling her that Cato is in danger and that she can help him if she will do as Brian says.
The thing I liked most about the story is in the way Cato gradually unbends around Phoebe, his developing understanding of her and his eventual falling in love with her. As time passes he starts to find her lack of sophistication rather charming and to appreciate what she has to offer him – her love and generous heart, her quick mind and sense of humour. He’s the strong, silent type; and although I will admit that I wondered how it was that Phoebe fell in love with him when she hardly knew him, (and he was so cold and aloof) there’s no doubting his appeal, which is greatly enhanced by Jenny Sterlin’s portrayal. While Phoebe’s headstrong nature often lands her into trouble, she’s an attractive character – although I don’t like that part of her that insists on ignoring good advice and then feeling aggrieved when Cato bawls her out for getting herself into a difficult situation.
The revenge sub-plot is perhaps overly simplistic, and Brian is a one-note villain, but at least it doesn’t get in the way of the romance. The pacing is a little uneven – there were parts in the middle that dragged, although Ms Sterlin’s narration went a long way to keeping me focused on the story at those moments. I’ve commented in other reviews that her slightly nasal tone can take a little while to get used to, but it’s worth it, because she’s a very accomplished vocal actress, and all her character portrayals are well differentiated and characterised according to age, gender and situation. When portraying Cato, she employs a lowered pitch and a measured delivery which convey absolutely that here is an authority figure, a man not often crossed or easily confounded. The same qualities, with perhaps a slightly softened tone, are also employed to good effect in the love scenes. Phoebe’s vivacity and stubbornness are expertly conveyed through the use of a wide variety of expression and inflection; Ms Sterlin doesn’t raise her pitch very much to point to Phoebe’s youth; but she doesn’t need to because her acting choices more than adequately reflect the character.
Taken as a whole, The Accidental Bride is an entertaining, if not especially deep listen which benefits from a skilled performance by Jenny Sterlin. If you’re interested in seeking out older romances which have recently been made into audiobooks, or just looking for a pre-Regency historical, then this might be worth checking out.
December 17, 2019
The story is *rolls my eyes*
- about Phoebe who married twice as old widower, she is his sister-in-law and his daughter’s best friend (and it’s his 4th marriage!!!).
- He wants a son (he has lots of children, daughters from the other three wife’s). She loves him but refuses to conceive before he “sees the real her”.
- There’s a villain who kills the wifes (at least one of them) so they don’t conceive an heir and so villain can get to the hero’s title and inheritance (bc we wouldn’t have a story if he just killed the hero which would have been much easier).
- The hero is an agent and the heroine obviously has to save him by hiding in ship cabins and following him and disguising in men’s clothes. Too stupid.
- She is a vibrant very young heroine who is brave and true but also a bit senseless, and balances on the overbearing oblivious/childish.
- He is a despicable despot of a hero who treats her like a child, and says unforgivable things to her and she just forgets it, why she loves him is not clear.
- about Phoebe who married twice as old widower, she is his sister-in-law and his daughter’s best friend (and it’s his 4th marriage!!!).
- He wants a son (he has lots of children, daughters from the other three wife’s). She loves him but refuses to conceive before he “sees the real her”.
- There’s a villain who kills the wifes (at least one of them) so they don’t conceive an heir and so villain can get to the hero’s title and inheritance (bc we wouldn’t have a story if he just killed the hero which would have been much easier).
- The hero is an agent and the heroine obviously has to save him by hiding in ship cabins and following him and disguising in men’s clothes. Too stupid.
- She is a vibrant very young heroine who is brave and true but also a bit senseless, and balances on the overbearing oblivious/childish.
- He is a despicable despot of a hero who treats her like a child, and says unforgivable things to her and she just forgets it, why she loves him is not clear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2021
Second in Feather's "Brides Trilogy" and my least favorite of the three, though worth a read [3.5 stars]
This book is the second in Feather's "Brides Trilogy" (it follows The Hostage Bride, Portia's story, and precedes The Least Likely Bride, Olivia's story). It is my least favorite of the three and although I really disliked it when I first read it (I looked back in my notes and apparently I only gave it one star), when I recently reread it I found that it wasn't as bad as I remembered it (or my taste has changed somewhat). It is definitely not your usual romance though (Feather's books often aren't) and some people may be put off by some of unusual aspects of the book; I've detailed them below, but some are spoilers so be forewarned.
SUMMARY:
[1646, England:] Cato, Marquis of Granville, has had three wives and is now on his way to acquire a fourth - Phoebe, the somewhat awkward and clumsy younger sister of his third wife, Diana. He doesn't really have many expectations for the marriage: England is in the middle of a civil war in which Cato is playing a large role on the side of Parliament, he has never really noticed Phoebe much except as his wife's younger sister and one of his daughter's best friends, and basically his only interest aside from continuing the familial alliance is to finally get a son.
Phoebe knows exactly when she stopped seeing Cato as her brother-in-law and best friend's father and ever since that moment she has found herself unbelievably and undeniably attracted to him. She should therefore be ecstatic that her father and Cato have agreed to a marriage between them ... but she knows Cato doesn't return her feelings. After they are married, things just don't feel right - Cato doesn't seem to be treating her any differently than before and the nights they spend together in bed are far from what she imagined and her body desires. Determined to make Cato notice her, Olivia and Portia (the third in their trio and heroine of The Hostage Bride) help Phoebe change her clothing and hairstyle and Portia gives her some tips on how she can help Cato realize she wants him to *truly* make love to her.
Jane Feather combines a villainous subplot, a civil war backdrop, a stubbornly determined and oddly enchanting heroine, and a stern and lonely hero who against all odds finds himself falling for his surprisingly endearing new wife in her second "Brides Trilogy" book, The Accidental Bride.
PROS:
~ Phoebe is one of those great unusual heroines: awkward, clumsy, very straightforward, unsure of her appeal to the hero, very caring and loving towards all those around her (no matter their rank or lack thereof)
~ The sex scenes between Phoebe and Cato aren't very numerous or long, but those that are there are quite hot (especially the one in the military camp when they have to sleep in the barracks ;-) lol)
~ When Cato and Phoebe's relationship starts to develop, there are some really great exchanges between them: Cato starts to find Phoebe's haphazard appearance endearing, how he reacts to her love and loyalty, etc.
UNUSUAL ASPECTS OF THE BOOK: (includes *spoilers*)
For the first month of their marriage, Phoebe and Cato have a very stilted sexual relationship and their wedding night is downright awkward. Cato thinks that like his three previous wives, Phoebe is a well-bred young lady who won't enjoy the marriage bed, so he'll get the business over and done with every night ASAP, then leaving her alone, in hopes of impregnating her and finally getting an heir. Phoebe is actually very attracted to Cato (she "lusts" after him) and so with Portia's help figures out how to seduce him and make him realize that she does indeed want to be an active participant in the marriage bed. I do have to give Feather props for tackling this issue and not having their sexual relationship be amazingly steamy from the get-go, but it is very unusual for the genre.
The age difference is somewhat bothersome (though I know, it's a different time period): Cato is 35, Phoebe is 18. As others have mentioned, Phoebe is one of Olivia's (Cato's daughter) best friends and they are only two years apart, so it makes the whole romance between Cato and Phoebe odd, kind of uncomfortable, and seems almost incestuous. Cato's third wife, Diana, was Phoebe's older sister and since Phoebe moved in to live with them, she's been Olivia's companion and almost a niece to Cato, so ... yeah, I don't know, kind of bizarre.
The subplot with Brian Morse trying to get at Cato (ruin him / kill him / etc.) can get to be very trying because at times you just want to shake Phoebe for seeming so oblivious and dense. She repeatedly almost gets sucked in to his traps and subterfuge and although in the end she realizes what he's about and tells him no (thankfully! because that would have really pissed me off), it goes on for far too long IMO.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you're determined to read the whole trilogy - and the other two books are definitely worth it - then get this from the library or borrow it from a friend, don't buy it.
This book is the second in Feather's "Brides Trilogy" (it follows The Hostage Bride, Portia's story, and precedes The Least Likely Bride, Olivia's story). It is my least favorite of the three and although I really disliked it when I first read it (I looked back in my notes and apparently I only gave it one star), when I recently reread it I found that it wasn't as bad as I remembered it (or my taste has changed somewhat). It is definitely not your usual romance though (Feather's books often aren't) and some people may be put off by some of unusual aspects of the book; I've detailed them below, but some are spoilers so be forewarned.
SUMMARY:
[1646, England:] Cato, Marquis of Granville, has had three wives and is now on his way to acquire a fourth - Phoebe, the somewhat awkward and clumsy younger sister of his third wife, Diana. He doesn't really have many expectations for the marriage: England is in the middle of a civil war in which Cato is playing a large role on the side of Parliament, he has never really noticed Phoebe much except as his wife's younger sister and one of his daughter's best friends, and basically his only interest aside from continuing the familial alliance is to finally get a son.
Phoebe knows exactly when she stopped seeing Cato as her brother-in-law and best friend's father and ever since that moment she has found herself unbelievably and undeniably attracted to him. She should therefore be ecstatic that her father and Cato have agreed to a marriage between them ... but she knows Cato doesn't return her feelings. After they are married, things just don't feel right - Cato doesn't seem to be treating her any differently than before and the nights they spend together in bed are far from what she imagined and her body desires. Determined to make Cato notice her, Olivia and Portia (the third in their trio and heroine of The Hostage Bride) help Phoebe change her clothing and hairstyle and Portia gives her some tips on how she can help Cato realize she wants him to *truly* make love to her.
Jane Feather combines a villainous subplot, a civil war backdrop, a stubbornly determined and oddly enchanting heroine, and a stern and lonely hero who against all odds finds himself falling for his surprisingly endearing new wife in her second "Brides Trilogy" book, The Accidental Bride.
PROS:
~ Phoebe is one of those great unusual heroines: awkward, clumsy, very straightforward, unsure of her appeal to the hero, very caring and loving towards all those around her (no matter their rank or lack thereof)
~ The sex scenes between Phoebe and Cato aren't very numerous or long, but those that are there are quite hot (especially the one in the military camp when they have to sleep in the barracks ;-) lol)
~ When Cato and Phoebe's relationship starts to develop, there are some really great exchanges between them: Cato starts to find Phoebe's haphazard appearance endearing, how he reacts to her love and loyalty, etc.
UNUSUAL ASPECTS OF THE BOOK: (includes *spoilers*)
For the first month of their marriage, Phoebe and Cato have a very stilted sexual relationship and their wedding night is downright awkward. Cato thinks that like his three previous wives, Phoebe is a well-bred young lady who won't enjoy the marriage bed, so he'll get the business over and done with every night ASAP, then leaving her alone, in hopes of impregnating her and finally getting an heir. Phoebe is actually very attracted to Cato (she "lusts" after him) and so with Portia's help figures out how to seduce him and make him realize that she does indeed want to be an active participant in the marriage bed. I do have to give Feather props for tackling this issue and not having their sexual relationship be amazingly steamy from the get-go, but it is very unusual for the genre.
The age difference is somewhat bothersome (though I know, it's a different time period): Cato is 35, Phoebe is 18. As others have mentioned, Phoebe is one of Olivia's (Cato's daughter) best friends and they are only two years apart, so it makes the whole romance between Cato and Phoebe odd, kind of uncomfortable, and seems almost incestuous. Cato's third wife, Diana, was Phoebe's older sister and since Phoebe moved in to live with them, she's been Olivia's companion and almost a niece to Cato, so ... yeah, I don't know, kind of bizarre.
The subplot with Brian Morse trying to get at Cato (ruin him / kill him / etc.) can get to be very trying because at times you just want to shake Phoebe for seeming so oblivious and dense. She repeatedly almost gets sucked in to his traps and subterfuge and although in the end she realizes what he's about and tells him no (thankfully! because that would have really pissed me off), it goes on for far too long IMO.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you're determined to read the whole trilogy - and the other two books are definitely worth it - then get this from the library or borrow it from a friend, don't buy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2018
I'm really enjoying this hist-rom series set during the English Civil War. Besides being an unusual period for this genre which is glutted with poorly written and historically inaccurate "Regencies", this series is well written and features quite unusual heroines, which is refreshing.
You remember this Robert Herrick poem?
Herrick could have been talking about Lady Phoebe Carlton. Phoebe is more interested in writing poetry and plays than in following fashion, unlike her older sister, Diana. Before her death, Diana was married to Cato, Lord Granville; now Lord Carlton has suggested that Cato marry Phoebe. After all, one sister is just as good as another, and Cato is agreeable since it keeps the dowry in his hands. Cato is one of the influential Yorkshire lords supporting Parliament and Cromwell, so he has more important things to worry about than his domestic arrangements. He does need an heir of his own body, though; he dislikes and mistrusts his current heir, the son of his first wife whom he adopted during that marriage. Cato isn't a particularly likeable hero, or even hero material, for a big part of the book. If you're feeling charitable, you would characterize him as focused and intent on the war; if you're feeling less than charitable, you might call him patronizing and sexist.
Phoebe is nothing like her older sister, though, as Cato soon learns. She refuses to keep to "her place," insisting on meddling in village matters which leads to her being taken up as a witch. She talks back to Cato when he tries to admonish her. Furthermore, her adventures seem always to result in her hair falling down, her face being smudged with dirt and her dresses and shawls ripped and torn. Also unlike Diana, who merely dutifully submitted to his bedroom demands, Phoebe takes an active and enthusiastic interest in their marital relations. However it is that Cato feels about her - and he is very confused - he is not able to ignore her. This book takes the "gallant knight rescues damsel in distress" trope and turns it on its head. Lots of fun!
You remember this Robert Herrick poem?
A sweet disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness;
A lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction;
An erring lace, which here and there
Enthrals the crimson stomacher;
A cuff neglectful, and thereby
Ribands to flow confusedly;
A winning wave, deserving note,
In the tempestuous petticoat;
A careless shoe-string, in whose tie
I see a wild civility;
Do more bewitch me, than when art
Is too precise in every part.
Herrick could have been talking about Lady Phoebe Carlton. Phoebe is more interested in writing poetry and plays than in following fashion, unlike her older sister, Diana. Before her death, Diana was married to Cato, Lord Granville; now Lord Carlton has suggested that Cato marry Phoebe. After all, one sister is just as good as another, and Cato is agreeable since it keeps the dowry in his hands. Cato is one of the influential Yorkshire lords supporting Parliament and Cromwell, so he has more important things to worry about than his domestic arrangements. He does need an heir of his own body, though; he dislikes and mistrusts his current heir, the son of his first wife whom he adopted during that marriage. Cato isn't a particularly likeable hero, or even hero material, for a big part of the book. If you're feeling charitable, you would characterize him as focused and intent on the war; if you're feeling less than charitable, you might call him patronizing and sexist.
Phoebe is nothing like her older sister, though, as Cato soon learns. She refuses to keep to "her place," insisting on meddling in village matters which leads to her being taken up as a witch. She talks back to Cato when he tries to admonish her. Furthermore, her adventures seem always to result in her hair falling down, her face being smudged with dirt and her dresses and shawls ripped and torn. Also unlike Diana, who merely dutifully submitted to his bedroom demands, Phoebe takes an active and enthusiastic interest in their marital relations. However it is that Cato feels about her - and he is very confused - he is not able to ignore her. This book takes the "gallant knight rescues damsel in distress" trope and turns it on its head. Lots of fun!
November 1, 2021
Дълго се чудих кскво значи съкеащението PC в част от коментарите на английски. Явно - politically correct. Колко странно, че това го има и в романтичния жанр, който би трябвало да зареже повечето конвенции и просто да забавлява. Но е факт, и твърде много РС води до скука или до…прекалености, опитвайки се да се дегизира, което е адски забавно явление, но пак не става за четене (онова там с нюансите, които са нюанси на писателската некадърност).
Тази история не е РС. Героинята е на 18 и баща и набързо решава да я пласира на досегашния си, прясно овдовял зет, който е доста по-възрастен от невестата и на всичкото отгоре има 3 брака зад гърба си и известно количество деца, уви, всичките - женски (което е и мотивацията на младоженеца). Така едни пари остават в семейството (за тъста), а времеемкото търсене на нова съпруга е сведено до минимум и така остава повече време за военните задължения към армията и разузнаването на Оливър Кромуел - за младоженеца. Булката никой не я пита - 1646 г. е, Англия е в гражданска война на път да установи република (за първи и единствен път), кипят военни действия и интриги, и никой няма време да се занимава с момичета извън строго сложените рамки на обществените норми, които не са, хм, в полза на жените. А да, все още не е прекратен и ловът на вещици из селата.
На този “обещаващ” фон се заформя една съвсем романтична история, където превъзмогването на предрасъдъците, взаимното опознаване, решението да се прояви търпение и известен компромис без обаче да е на всяка цена (но и без твърде много инат от двете страни) водят до приятен прочит. Чудесен хепи енд, имаше си и драма, и неразкрито убийство, и преследване, и всичко. И да, героинята е супер сладурче, а на нашия човек най-сетне със замах му падат наочниците.
***
🧩 “Характерът беше доста безцветна дарба, в сравнение с красотата и елегантността.”
Тази история не е РС. Героинята е на 18 и баща и набързо решава да я пласира на досегашния си, прясно овдовял зет, който е доста по-възрастен от невестата и на всичкото отгоре има 3 брака зад гърба си и известно количество деца, уви, всичките - женски (което е и мотивацията на младоженеца). Така едни пари остават в семейството (за тъста), а времеемкото търсене на нова съпруга е сведено до минимум и така остава повече време за военните задължения към армията и разузнаването на Оливър Кромуел - за младоженеца. Булката никой не я пита - 1646 г. е, Англия е в гражданска война на път да установи република (за първи и единствен път), кипят военни действия и интриги, и никой няма време да се занимава с момичета извън строго сложените рамки на обществените норми, които не са, хм, в полза на жените. А да, все още не е прекратен и ловът на вещици из селата.
На този “обещаващ” фон се заформя една съвсем романтична история, където превъзмогването на предрасъдъците, взаимното опознаване, решението да се прояви търпение и известен компромис без обаче да е на всяка цена (но и без твърде много инат от двете страни) водят до приятен прочит. Чудесен хепи енд, имаше си и драма, и неразкрито убийство, и преследване, и всичко. И да, героинята е супер сладурче, а на нашия човек най-сетне със замах му падат наочниците.
***
🧩 “Характерът беше доста безцветна дарба, в сравнение с красотата и елегантността.”
March 15, 2019
Egad, what is this..
As other readers have pointed out, the character connections in this novel are just....bizarre.. and OF course historically inaccurate. (imagine it, a woman marries her best friends father?...which is also her sisters husband?) I don't know what was the worst infraction..the terrible characters or the blatant inaccuracies. Sheesh
The heroine although traditionally *different* in comparison to most other heroines was a dishevelled, air head woman swooning sweetly over her thrice married husband ( there relationship was a product of an arranged marriage which resulted in his fourth marriage). She was just as silly as she felt , and rather annoying. Seriously, I just can't with these types of heroines and I question what the dickens was going on in the mind of the author to pen such strange relations..
She, the heroine earnestly desires her husbands attention and contrives some sappy schemes 'to have' him...the primary which began with a scandalously low cut gown. .OH the horror of this novel..
The room was candlelit.
the curtains drawn against the night..
The clichés! the clichés! they were around every corner, it was impossible to escape them!
The only positive is that the story had a semblance of 'intelligent writing' but it just wasn't enough
This book quickly and violently went into the virtual trash bin and I'm glad I'm rid of it.
Lastly, what kind of name is Cato?? (the name of the husband) .
As other readers have pointed out, the character connections in this novel are just....bizarre.. and OF course historically inaccurate. (imagine it, a woman marries her best friends father?...which is also her sisters husband?) I don't know what was the worst infraction..the terrible characters or the blatant inaccuracies. Sheesh
The heroine although traditionally *different* in comparison to most other heroines was a dishevelled, air head woman swooning sweetly over her thrice married husband ( there relationship was a product of an arranged marriage which resulted in his fourth marriage). She was just as silly as she felt , and rather annoying. Seriously, I just can't with these types of heroines and I question what the dickens was going on in the mind of the author to pen such strange relations..
She, the heroine earnestly desires her husbands attention and contrives some sappy schemes 'to have' him...the primary which began with a scandalously low cut gown. .OH the horror of this novel..
The room was candlelit.
the curtains drawn against the night..
The clichés! the clichés! they were around every corner, it was impossible to escape them!
The only positive is that the story had a semblance of 'intelligent writing' but it just wasn't enough
This book quickly and violently went into the virtual trash bin and I'm glad I'm rid of it.
Lastly, what kind of name is Cato?? (the name of the husband) .
March 18, 2013
I should have known I wouldn't like this-I do not enjoy Cromwell's England (really the period between 1500-1699 does not interest me, I don't know why)but I gave it a shot and I disliked it. One: there is no kissing that I can remember in the whole book. What is a romance novel with no kissing? Two: Did Cato ever really fall in love with our frumpy, dumpy (but curvalicious and...utterly boring)heroine, or did he just have a good roll in the hay for once in his many years of changing wives? Three: Yeah those wives, I don't want to read a love story about a fourth wife. It was a book I will forget and never think of again. I always try to give authors a second shot, cause maybe it's just me- so perhaps I will try another Jane Feather novel in the future.
October 24, 2013
I did not care for it at all. I found the fact that Phoebe was to wed one of her best friend's father simply too creepy. Even the attempt to get his attention with new risqué gowns, while in the company of his daughter no less, was just so uncomfortable to me. Yuck.
June 25, 2012
Three girls, Olivia, Phoebe, and Portia, escape a fussy wedding and bond over feelings of rejection and rebellion against the social expectations of their times. This trilogy plays out each of their stories.
The Accidental Bride features Phoebe, the clumsy, perpetually messy member of the trio. Her hero is Cato (did they actually have names like that back then?), the clueless uncle in Portia's story, Olivia's father. Cato was the groom at that early wedding, and Phoebe's sister was the bride. Phoebe's sister is dead, and her father has decided to pair off his second daughter with the same groom.
For Phoebe, it's complicated. She has a huge crush on Cato, but she doesn't want to marry a man who views her as a convenience on whom to breed his heir, since he doesn't return her affection. So she tries to run for it. She's caught, and Cato, who is still a clueless dumbass (as he was in the previous book) doesn't take her feelings seriously. She's just a girl, what does she know?
Come time for the wedding night, he basically gets it over with. He expects that "nice" women won't like sex, so he makes no effort to make it pleasant for her. Naturally, it is thoroughly unpleasant, since she's not ready for any of it, and the loss of her virginity would be painful even if she were.
By this point I can't figure out why Phoebe "loves" this yahoo. Seriously, why are we supposed to accept that heroines in romances are in love with men who show no worthwhile qualities? Cato appears to have some conscience and commitment with his politics, but he treats the women in his life as if their thoughts and feelings don't exist, let alone matter. He does change as the story goes on, but what did she love to start with? He was a cold, uncaring jerk. I didn't much like him in the previous book and liked him less in this. Plus he's married to a girl who is his daughter's age and is her friend. That was the way it was back then, but seriously, ew. At best, even when he begins to feel affection for her, it's still clear that he views her as a child. Which she kind of is. Again, ew.
Putting all those things aside, the creepy villain Brian Morse is back. He's as evil as ever, and looking out for his own inheritance, since, unless his stepfather Cato's new bride bears a son, he's the next Earl of Granville. Moreover, he's spying for the king against Cato and others who are close to Cromwell. There's some great intrigue here, and Phoebe does show herself to be strong enough to fight for what she wants. We also see the insidious changes Puritanism began to wreak on English culture (and later on American). (An aside: It occurred to me that piquerism might have had some influence on culture as well, cloaked in Puritan zeal.) And as I say, Cato does begin to grasp the alien concept that a woman's thoughts and feelings might have some value after all. So this gets three stars from me, even tho I really hated Phoebe's dad and didn't like Cato for much of the story.
In short, Feather often gets an extra star from me because of the way she makes real history interesting, and her ability to write a rollicking adventure, even when the romance really doesn't quite do it for me.
The Accidental Bride features Phoebe, the clumsy, perpetually messy member of the trio. Her hero is Cato (did they actually have names like that back then?), the clueless uncle in Portia's story, Olivia's father. Cato was the groom at that early wedding, and Phoebe's sister was the bride. Phoebe's sister is dead, and her father has decided to pair off his second daughter with the same groom.
For Phoebe, it's complicated. She has a huge crush on Cato, but she doesn't want to marry a man who views her as a convenience on whom to breed his heir, since he doesn't return her affection. So she tries to run for it. She's caught, and Cato, who is still a clueless dumbass (as he was in the previous book) doesn't take her feelings seriously. She's just a girl, what does she know?
Come time for the wedding night, he basically gets it over with. He expects that "nice" women won't like sex, so he makes no effort to make it pleasant for her. Naturally, it is thoroughly unpleasant, since she's not ready for any of it, and the loss of her virginity would be painful even if she were.
By this point I can't figure out why Phoebe "loves" this yahoo. Seriously, why are we supposed to accept that heroines in romances are in love with men who show no worthwhile qualities? Cato appears to have some conscience and commitment with his politics, but he treats the women in his life as if their thoughts and feelings don't exist, let alone matter. He does change as the story goes on, but what did she love to start with? He was a cold, uncaring jerk. I didn't much like him in the previous book and liked him less in this. Plus he's married to a girl who is his daughter's age and is her friend. That was the way it was back then, but seriously, ew. At best, even when he begins to feel affection for her, it's still clear that he views her as a child. Which she kind of is. Again, ew.
Putting all those things aside, the creepy villain Brian Morse is back. He's as evil as ever, and looking out for his own inheritance, since, unless his stepfather Cato's new bride bears a son, he's the next Earl of Granville. Moreover, he's spying for the king against Cato and others who are close to Cromwell. There's some great intrigue here, and Phoebe does show herself to be strong enough to fight for what she wants. We also see the insidious changes Puritanism began to wreak on English culture (and later on American). (An aside: It occurred to me that piquerism might have had some influence on culture as well, cloaked in Puritan zeal.) And as I say, Cato does begin to grasp the alien concept that a woman's thoughts and feelings might have some value after all. So this gets three stars from me, even tho I really hated Phoebe's dad and didn't like Cato for much of the story.
In short, Feather often gets an extra star from me because of the way she makes real history interesting, and her ability to write a rollicking adventure, even when the romance really doesn't quite do it for me.
August 11, 2016
I couldn't finish this book. I tried really hard, and just couldn't do it. I can only say how stupid Phoebe is. I understand her desire to protect her friends and be her ownself. But how can she not know how serious and risky Cato's dealings/work is? She spends her time saying she wants Cato to trust her, but he is a military officer, what the heck is wrong with her!! And the whole thing with clothes, fine, most of it is ill-fitting, and she is always getting into trouble, and they tear etc.. But she is Lady Granville, and she doesn't care if the dress is torn, buttons missing and it may fall apart? Like for real? It is one thing to have lack, but she could have simple dresses made for her that are very comfortable for every day use but without falling apart or having problems of exposing...
I just can't. I stopped thinking how creepy it is for Cato to marry his daughter's friend, but then chalked it up to the time period.
She almost got fooled by Brian just because she was so self absorbed and kept thinking of herself and how to get Cato to like her. I think she was her worst enemy, but she had friends in Portia, Olivia and Meg and she still listed to what Brian had to say, then hear their warnings about what a worm he is....
I am not even sure I want to know the ending of this book... but I want to at least read Olivia's story.. hope there is no continuation... *sigh*
I just can't. I stopped thinking how creepy it is for Cato to marry his daughter's friend, but then chalked it up to the time period.
She almost got fooled by Brian just because she was so self absorbed and kept thinking of herself and how to get Cato to like her. I think she was her worst enemy, but she had friends in Portia, Olivia and Meg and she still listed to what Brian had to say, then hear their warnings about what a worm he is....
I am not even sure I want to know the ending of this book... but I want to at least read Olivia's story.. hope there is no continuation... *sigh*
June 16, 2015
It's probably a 2.5 stars. My overall reaction is apathetic. I love a May/December romance, but it has to be well done. The heroine in this seemed too young for the hero. Ultimately the reason he fell in love with her didn't seem to be for her character or her bravery or any of the good things about her (and there were many, although, to me, she always seemed young). Rather it was because of The Magic Power of Her Vagina. She likes sex, hot and dirty [the sex was pretty good, this book does have that going for it] and that seemed to power their relationship rather than any melding of their characters. Basically, I didn't buy it. I wasn't invested in them at any point. I did finish the book though and I was mildly entertained whilst doing so. It was all just about adequate for me.
November 20, 2020
The 1 star is purely for the heroine. I have rarely disliked a H this much and even in the end, his redemption was unsatisfactory. Phoebe gave sooo much in this story and he was dreadful and cold. Also, I had 2 MAJOR issues with this book. First, how gross that she married her dead sister's husband and that she fell in lust/love with him while her sister was still alive. Also, the age factor just grossed me out. His daughter is the same age as his new wife and he couldn't even be nice to her on thier first night together. Just ewww!!! I finished the book but it was a REAL struggle.
October 21, 2017
Something I enjoyed about this one is that Phoebe was a sexually curious virgin rather than a shy, retiring virgin. I liked that she was disappointed by the quick, boring sex Cato inflicted upon her because he was used to his past wives merely ~suffering~ through the marital act. But overall this book was a little on the unmemorable side.
April 21, 2012
Hero is a controlling jerk who marries his dead wife's sister, aka his daughter's bestie. I have no idea why they like each other.
June 19, 2018
3/5 stars.
Mostly a quick, simple book. Nothing that really will stay with you.
The heroine is your straight up Plump, clumsy woman with a foot-in-mouth syndrome who's been in love with the hero forever, but he never seems to notice her.
He see's like as a duty and that's about it. But then she turns her life upside down.
It's okay as a one time read, but don't expect anything amazing.
Mostly a quick, simple book. Nothing that really will stay with you.
The heroine is your straight up Plump, clumsy woman with a foot-in-mouth syndrome who's been in love with the hero forever, but he never seems to notice her.
He see's like as a duty and that's about it. But then she turns her life upside down.
It's okay as a one time read, but don't expect anything amazing.
April 4, 2019
Jane Feather is one of my fair weather authors but I truly enjoyed this story only due to the narration. It made for very nice listening on a long plane ride.
3.5 Stars
3.5 Stars
July 22, 2020
3.5 STARS
June 15, 2011
This is my first read by Jane Feather, a prominent romance author. I picked this up at a library sale, and with my husband’s help (pick a hand, honey…right or left?), I chose to start digging into my hoard of books by selecting this one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was a near perfect balance of romance and raunch. Our heroine, Phoebe, is an enigmatic bumpkin, completely enamored with her husband, though she’s reluctant to show it because of his facade of total indifference. Cato, our hero and Phoebe’s husband, is the epitome of calm collectedness, so much so that it drives Phoebe absolutely bonkers. He’s fully invested in the civil war that rages through Cromwell’s England. Phoebe inherits Cato when her elder sister dies, and to keep matters simple, Phoebe’s father decides to offer Phoebe in her sister’s stead. Phoebe is reluctant, despite the fact she’s wicked attracted to him. Cato on the other hand seems completely indifferent. He needs a male heir, and he sees a reasonable vessel in Phoebe.
What he doesn’t count on, however, is the aforementioned vessel having an opinion of her own. Despite his intimidating nature, Phoebe isn’t afraid to stand her ground. Her passionate nature intrigues him, and he finds himself coming out of the shell he had created for himself over the past several years.
I really enjoyed this book. Phoebe’s love for her husband is endearing and heartfelt, though does not blind her to the world around her. She recognizes the dangers of his job, as well as the temptations that surround them both, and she’s smart enough to make rational decisions. I absolutely adore that about her. Cato is hard to like, but with Phoebe’s help he eventually becomes something human.
Rating: B
Romance: 3/5 Raunch: 3/5
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was a near perfect balance of romance and raunch. Our heroine, Phoebe, is an enigmatic bumpkin, completely enamored with her husband, though she’s reluctant to show it because of his facade of total indifference. Cato, our hero and Phoebe’s husband, is the epitome of calm collectedness, so much so that it drives Phoebe absolutely bonkers. He’s fully invested in the civil war that rages through Cromwell’s England. Phoebe inherits Cato when her elder sister dies, and to keep matters simple, Phoebe’s father decides to offer Phoebe in her sister’s stead. Phoebe is reluctant, despite the fact she’s wicked attracted to him. Cato on the other hand seems completely indifferent. He needs a male heir, and he sees a reasonable vessel in Phoebe.
What he doesn’t count on, however, is the aforementioned vessel having an opinion of her own. Despite his intimidating nature, Phoebe isn’t afraid to stand her ground. Her passionate nature intrigues him, and he finds himself coming out of the shell he had created for himself over the past several years.
I really enjoyed this book. Phoebe’s love for her husband is endearing and heartfelt, though does not blind her to the world around her. She recognizes the dangers of his job, as well as the temptations that surround them both, and she’s smart enough to make rational decisions. I absolutely adore that about her. Cato is hard to like, but with Phoebe’s help he eventually becomes something human.
Rating: B
Romance: 3/5 Raunch: 3/5
June 5, 2014
As the second book in the Bride Trilogy, I came in to this book so curious to see what transformation Cato's character would take on. After all, he marries his daughter, Olivia's friend, Phoebe (his widow's sister) and if that's not too close for comfort, I don't know what is. But, I suppose that Cato can easily take on Phoebe, as his wife because it's a calculated decision and it's much like picking out another hen from the henhouse, at least initially.
Cato is interesting because he plays an important role in the politics and constant shifting in the civil war in England. You definitely get the sense that his is a man's world and Phoebe, especially, is a pawn in this game between men, properties, and power. But, Phoebe, sweet, lovely Phoebe is a fierce, little one. Her clothes may get disheveled, but its only because she constantly on the move with her creative mind and giving heart. And, it's all of these qualities that eventually bring Cato out of his cold existence. Cato comes to experience passion and love with his wife, Phoebe and that was a pretty big accomplishment considering his starting point.
There were times when my 21st sensibilities sometimes got in the way of my enjoyment of this book (I thought I would scream if Phoebe referred to Cato as "my lord" one more time during a disagreement when he's being a complete ass). Yet, overall you can't complain much about Feather's writing, because it's simply superb. She develops this very interesting world, layered with danger, lurking villains, and she does friendship and romance well. Also, Jenny Sterlin was an excellent narrator. I very much enjoyed her performance as she brought this world to life.
Cato is interesting because he plays an important role in the politics and constant shifting in the civil war in England. You definitely get the sense that his is a man's world and Phoebe, especially, is a pawn in this game between men, properties, and power. But, Phoebe, sweet, lovely Phoebe is a fierce, little one. Her clothes may get disheveled, but its only because she constantly on the move with her creative mind and giving heart. And, it's all of these qualities that eventually bring Cato out of his cold existence. Cato comes to experience passion and love with his wife, Phoebe and that was a pretty big accomplishment considering his starting point.
There were times when my 21st sensibilities sometimes got in the way of my enjoyment of this book (I thought I would scream if Phoebe referred to Cato as "my lord" one more time during a disagreement when he's being a complete ass). Yet, overall you can't complain much about Feather's writing, because it's simply superb. She develops this very interesting world, layered with danger, lurking villains, and she does friendship and romance well. Also, Jenny Sterlin was an excellent narrator. I very much enjoyed her performance as she brought this world to life.
June 1, 2023
Two stars because I enjoyed the story at first. 368 pages spent with this couple is more than enough. I like a good May/December romance, but for me to buy into it I need to feel like they're equals, or come to be equals, at least in personality even if they have a power imbalance socially / economically (which is a given for any hetero couple in the 17th century). Here it felt like the hero treated her like a child all the time because she acted like a stupid, self-obsessed child all the time (because she basically was a child!). Just not appealing as a love interest for an adult. Even at the end when he confesses his love it felt less like love and more like he was attracted to her despite her personality. Actually, I couldn't see why she loved him either -- at the beginning it seems like more of a shallow crush before she really knew him as a person, and the connection between doesn't really develop on a deeper level from there. So it just didn't work for me.
There are also some anachronisms and inaccuracies (like everyone speaking Flemish? in Rotterdam) that I could have ignored if I were enjoying the book more. And the hero's two young daughters with the heroine's sister basically only exist when the author remembered they're supposed to be around somewhere.
There are also some anachronisms and inaccuracies (like everyone speaking Flemish? in Rotterdam) that I could have ignored if I were enjoying the book more. And the hero's two young daughters with the heroine's sister basically only exist when the author remembered they're supposed to be around somewhere.
March 30, 2020
It's so unrealistic and ridiculous. The heroine is an utter mess and even I can't like her for it. It would be like trying to have sex with Pigpen. Still, she tries to be sophisticated and of course, does a regrettable job of it for stupid reasons that anyone with half a brain could have avoided.
The hero is a cold hearted bastard throughout the whole story, even at the end. I don't know what she finds appealing, except he's good looking, but even someone's looks can't make up for his personality.
The author went over the top in every single aspect of this book. It's so bad that I'm wondering if it's a satire.
The hero is a cold hearted bastard throughout the whole story, even at the end. I don't know what she finds appealing, except he's good looking, but even someone's looks can't make up for his personality.
The author went over the top in every single aspect of this book. It's so bad that I'm wondering if it's a satire.
October 23, 2010
My favorite book from Feather. Fun and exciting and I really liked the relationship between the leads.
January 12, 2017
DNF. The dialog in just the first few pages is SO horrible and juvenile I had to stop reading it.
November 29, 2023
3.5-4 stars. Lovely and tender love scenes.
July 29, 2011
I truly enjoyed this book. The character of Phoebe was great, I really could relate to her, and I was cheering her on through the whole book. Even Cato came off as stubborn and a bit controlling without being an ass, like a lot of other roms I've read. The development of their relationship was sweet, and the love scene at the barracks was... nice. :) I'll definitely want to read the rest of this trilogy.
(The above review is from first reading 8/16-18/2010)
(Below is review of re-read)
I recently found copies of the first and third books in this series, and couldn't resist re-reading this one after finishing the first one, The Hostage Bride. I was going to plunge on ahead into the third one, but Phoebe is really my favorite of the three girls, and I had fond memories of Cato, so I wanted to visit them again, and get reminded of all that happened before going into Olivia's story. I wasn't disappointed. This book was just as good as I remembered. And Cato still is as attractive as I recalled too. Not sure how the hero in the next book is going to live up to him... The events in this book take place 2 years or so after the first story. Cato's third wife, Diana has died, leaving him with no male heirs save his stepson from his first marriage, a slimy little worm of a man, Brian Morse, who had a bit role in the first story. The war is still going on, so Cato is a little worried that something may happen to him, and he doesn't want Brian to inherit, so he needs a wife. Diana's father offers up his other daughter, Phoebe, as the new bride, to keep the alliance between their families strong. Plus, it's convenient. Phoebe's already at Granville's house, as she is his daughter's best friend. Well, poor Phoebe has the biggest crush on Cato, and doesn't really want to marry him because she thinks he'll never notice her or love her, and that she's just a brood mare to him. Doesn't help that Phoebe's a klutz, a poet, and a little chubby to boot. Also, all her dresses are years too small and outdated, leading her to always look a rumpled mess, and not in the sexy, tousled sort of way. After their wedding (and the poor girl didn't even get a nice wedding dress, she had to wear her sister's wedding dress, which didn't suit her figure or coloring well at all) Cato just figures she'll be a cold fish like his two other well-bred virgin wives, so he doesn't make any effort in the consummation whatsoever, just a quick little poke poke in the dark and that was all. Phoebe's all like, "what the hell just happened? I know it was supposed to be different than that!" But for the next couple of weeks, she just doesn't know what to do about it, and she's frustrated! Good thing Portia and her brood come for a visit. She gives Phoebe some ideas on how to let Cato know she's interested in more than a quick fumble in the darkness, and her and Olivia take Phoebe to a dress maker and get her some gorgeous gowns that suit her figure. This leads Cato to be very, very surprised. At first he's not sure what to do with her, but their relationship finally starts to get real good, lots of nice steamy stuff. Brian shows up with ulterior motives, stirring up trouble where he can and trying to ruin Cato in the eyes of his allies in the war. There's trouble with the King trying to escape the country, and there's trouble on the Parliament side as well. Towards the end, Cato has to go on a mission to Holland, and Phoebe sneaks along with him. Brian shows up, trying to wreak havoc, but of course we get the HEA. Sigh, I just like Cato so much, he's stoic and strong, though definitely stubborn, and when Phoebe finally cracks his shell, and he starts showing new sides of himself, smiling, being thoughtful, it's just so... I don't know, can't really say cute or sweet, but it's something like that. I think these two are a favorite romance couple of mine. I'm really glad I went ahead and re-read this book before reading The Least Likely Bride, I feel like I know the people in this series so well. I'm liking this author a lot so far
(The above review is from first reading 8/16-18/2010)
(Below is review of re-read)
I recently found copies of the first and third books in this series, and couldn't resist re-reading this one after finishing the first one, The Hostage Bride. I was going to plunge on ahead into the third one, but Phoebe is really my favorite of the three girls, and I had fond memories of Cato, so I wanted to visit them again, and get reminded of all that happened before going into Olivia's story. I wasn't disappointed. This book was just as good as I remembered. And Cato still is as attractive as I recalled too. Not sure how the hero in the next book is going to live up to him... The events in this book take place 2 years or so after the first story. Cato's third wife, Diana has died, leaving him with no male heirs save his stepson from his first marriage, a slimy little worm of a man, Brian Morse, who had a bit role in the first story. The war is still going on, so Cato is a little worried that something may happen to him, and he doesn't want Brian to inherit, so he needs a wife. Diana's father offers up his other daughter, Phoebe, as the new bride, to keep the alliance between their families strong. Plus, it's convenient. Phoebe's already at Granville's house, as she is his daughter's best friend. Well, poor Phoebe has the biggest crush on Cato, and doesn't really want to marry him because she thinks he'll never notice her or love her, and that she's just a brood mare to him. Doesn't help that Phoebe's a klutz, a poet, and a little chubby to boot. Also, all her dresses are years too small and outdated, leading her to always look a rumpled mess, and not in the sexy, tousled sort of way. After their wedding (and the poor girl didn't even get a nice wedding dress, she had to wear her sister's wedding dress, which didn't suit her figure or coloring well at all) Cato just figures she'll be a cold fish like his two other well-bred virgin wives, so he doesn't make any effort in the consummation whatsoever, just a quick little poke poke in the dark and that was all. Phoebe's all like, "what the hell just happened? I know it was supposed to be different than that!" But for the next couple of weeks, she just doesn't know what to do about it, and she's frustrated! Good thing Portia and her brood come for a visit. She gives Phoebe some ideas on how to let Cato know she's interested in more than a quick fumble in the darkness, and her and Olivia take Phoebe to a dress maker and get her some gorgeous gowns that suit her figure. This leads Cato to be very, very surprised. At first he's not sure what to do with her, but their relationship finally starts to get real good, lots of nice steamy stuff. Brian shows up with ulterior motives, stirring up trouble where he can and trying to ruin Cato in the eyes of his allies in the war. There's trouble with the King trying to escape the country, and there's trouble on the Parliament side as well. Towards the end, Cato has to go on a mission to Holland, and Phoebe sneaks along with him. Brian shows up, trying to wreak havoc, but of course we get the HEA. Sigh, I just like Cato so much, he's stoic and strong, though definitely stubborn, and when Phoebe finally cracks his shell, and he starts showing new sides of himself, smiling, being thoughtful, it's just so... I don't know, can't really say cute or sweet, but it's something like that. I think these two are a favorite romance couple of mine. I'm really glad I went ahead and re-read this book before reading The Least Likely Bride, I feel like I know the people in this series so well. I'm liking this author a lot so far
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